Thirteen Truffula Trees

[whichwayyoulean]

[Well, that was an eventful trip, wasn't it? He'd actually been enjoying the world change right up to the point the fake Lorax showed up. Those words had hurt, even if a small part of him was always expecting them. So, the Once-ler is in his room (where else?) idly strumming out a guitar tune. He's not even sure he remembers where he's heard it from. Somewhere in the castle, probably. He continues to strum along as he dictates into the journal]

Okay, I have a question. Did anyone else see horrible illusions when the...whatever they were attacked us? Because I'm kind of wondering. How did they know what illusions to cast? You know, which ones would really get to us. Did they have files on us or did they just go play around in our heads and turn our own minds against us?

[He's not sure why it's important he knows that. It's not exactly going to make him feel any better, but still. That done, he has some filters to see to]

[Jane]

Your Utility Belt is all done. I would have got it done sooner if the castle hadn't decided to throw all those shenanigans at us.

[Phoebe]

Incoming, your ghosts are brining your birthday present. [It’s a scarf. Because it was something he was able to make on short notice, and hey, winter is coming so it’s practical too!]

[Kalinda]

[He’s been concerned about her, really. They haven’t properly talked since that...nightmare mess and he’s not sure if she even wants to see him again or not. Still, she’s been quiet- very quiet. He's trying not to think about those really not subtle at all hints his beloved friends decided to drop concerning her. Carefully:

...Hey.

Comments

[cheerupemoborg]

Then it can be assumed they knew what illusions to cast because they were puppets of the castle. Simple as that.

[whichwayyoulean]

...So you think the castle just fed them the information after watching us all this time?

Well, that's creepy.

[cheerupemoborg]

Or they were a part of the castle, and that entire world was nothing more than a construct created to fool us into thinking it was the real thing.

That's how I see these world changes, anyway.

[whichwayyoulean]

So the whole world change was a giant illusion?

Interesting theory.

[cheerupemoborg]

For all we know, all of this is an illusion.

[whichwayyoulean]

There's a comforting thought.

[cheerupemoborg]

No, this is: we don't actually exist and all of our memories are fabrications of the castle.

[whichwayyoulean]

...Well, gosh, you're just a giant ray of sunshine, aren't you?

[cheerupemoborg]

Quite frankly, I'm not sure what to think about that if turns out to be true... but how does the castle, and not us, being an illusion seem anymore 'comforting'?

[whichwayyoulean]

I'm more comfortable with the mass insanity idea than I am of not existing at all.

[cheerupemoborg]

Who knows? Maybe it's both.

[whichwayyoulean]

...I'm pretty sure you can't not exist and be insane at the same time.

[cheerupemoborg]

We're in Paradisa, remember? Anything goes.

I'd bet money on it.

[whichwayyoulean]

Well this has been a super fun conversation, thanks.